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Has Anything Changed?
Dear Editor:
After years spent developing the Comprehensive Plan, talk of changing the Zoning Laws, the Build Out Presentation and so on, has anything changed? Here's why I ask? Developer Alfredo De Vido, hires surveyor Glenn Watson to change property lines so Mr. De Vido can squash four houses into a threehouse sub-division, on Foundry Pond Road.
Residents of Foundry Pond Road take exception, and are forced to hire their own attorney to insure the Town upholds its own Zoning and Steep Slopes Laws. Mr. De Vido hires attorney Bill Zutt, to uphold his right to be greedy. Mr. Zutt, in his arrogance, is disrespectful to the members of the Z.B.A. Z.B.A. members, to their credit, take offense and in essence tell Mr. Zutt to be a good little boy and to sit down and shut up.
When Mr. Zutt is allowed to continue, it is pointed out to him, that cutting trees on steep slopes, removing trees on other parts of the property, compacting the soil during construction could cause serious drainage problems, endangering neighboring properties and Foundry Pond Road. His response is to bring up Margaret McManus, an associate of Glenn Watson. She gives an abstract, meaningless explanation about the percentage increase in water volume. Then says it would be a Town problem anyway. Developer causes a problem. Town cleans it up. Interesting way to think!
It seems to me that unless the Zoning and Environmental Laws are written without ambiguous gray areas and enforceable, this kind of developer abuse will continue. Peter Morris, a Chicago developer, owns over a thousand acres in the North Highlands. He is aware of what is written in this paper and has eyes and ears in our community. He will take note of what is decided for or against Mr. De Vido.
If what is on public record is true about Mr. Morris, he makes Mr. De Vido look like Saint Francis. If Mr. De Vedo cries financial hardship, as developers do when they don't get their way, maybe it should be pointed out to him, that he has brought the hardship on himself.
On Monday, January 29th, there is supposed to be a second Z.B.A. hearing. It would be helpful if people showed up to support the residents of Foundry Pond Road.
Philip Vartanian North Highlands
Cold Spring
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